Researchers followed more than 3,000 older men and women for more than two and a half years, and they evaluated each participants' thigh muscle strength. To see if the participants developed osteoarthritis, the researchers took X-rays of the participants’ knees at the beginning and end of the study.

They also asked about pain, aching, or stiffness in the knees. By the end of the study, 48 of 680 men and 93 of 937 women developed osteoarthritis, however women with the strongest thighs had a significantly lower incidence of symptomatic, or painful, knee osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, the benefit wasn't seen in men.

About The Author

David Schipper
– David began writing for CorePerformance.com in 2008, after spending six years at Men's Health magazine digging up the newest scientific research in health, weight loss, nutrition, muscle and cardiovascular fitness.